AQW 4162/16-21 Written question to the Minister for Communities
To ask the Minister for Communities whether he plans to update the existing legislative framework for local councils to deal with on-street drinking.
Asked by Paula Bradshaw MLA on 28 September 2016
- Answered
- Written
- Tabled
- 28 September 2016
- Answer due by
- 13 October 2016
- Answered
- 10 October 201612 days after tabling
- Department
- Department for Communities
- Priority question
- No
Answer
My Department is responsible for drinking in public bye-laws which are made under Section 90 of the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 1972. Under the bye laws it is an offence for a person to consume alcohol in designated areas.
While powers exist under the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2008 to deal with anti-social behaviour associated with the consumption of alcohol in public places, it has not been possible to introduce them.
I understand my colleague the Justice Minister has asked her officials to scope out, in association with relevant stakeholders, how a holistic review of anti-social behaviour, and its associated issues such as on -street drinking, can be taken forward.